February 2022 – Page 49

Post Date : February 14, 2022

Security operatives rescue 20 abductees as bandits invade Niger community

The police command in Niger state says security operatives have rescued 20 kidnap victims following an attack on Nasko, Magama LGA of the state. Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman of the command, announced the development on Sunday in Minna, the state capital. Abiodun stated that bandits attacked some villages around Nasko on Saturday and rustled a large number of cattle. According to him, the police sent for reinforcement and military operatives and vigilantes joined in combing the area. He said a two-hour fierce gun battle later ensued on Ibeto cattle route, while the bandits were trying to escape with the cattle. He said scores of bandits were killed in the process and a large herd of cattle recovered, adding that items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 magazine with 30 rounds of live ammunition, seven telephone sets and one Honda motorcycle. Abiodun also said the police raided a bandits’ hideout at Anaba hilltop area of Magama on Sunday, where one Ak-47 rifle and 13 rounds of live ammunition, hidden between rocks were recovered. The spokesman solicited the cooperation of residents in ridding the state of banditry and other crimes.

Post Date : February 14, 2022

BREAKINGS: ASUU to go on one-month warning strike

After serious deliberations that dragged into the early hours of Monday, the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has voted to embark on one-month warning strike to press home its demands from the government. A source at the meeting held in Lagos told Vanguard in confidence that the strike is to allow the Federal Government do the needful failure to which the union would go on an indefinite strike. “We just want to give the government a long rope hoping that it would see the need to avoid a total paralysis of academic activities in the nation’s universities. We are parents too and have our children in the system but we cannot watch and allow the total collapse of education in the country. “Our agitation is in the interest of all and if the system is made better, we will all enjoy it. Prominent personalities in the country have waded into the matter but the government seems recalcitrant. Our National President would explain more when he briefs the press later today,” he said. Recall that the union has been agitating for a number of demands including the payment of Earned Academic Allowance, revitalization fund, the replacement of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, with the University Transparency and Accountability System UTAS, among others. Details later:

Post Date : February 13, 2022

BREAKING: ASUU in final meeting for possible indefinite strike

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has scheduled another round of meeting to commence by 12 midnight on Sunday, The Nation can report. The Nation learnt the final meeting will decide whether lecturers will commence an indefinite strike action or offer another ‘lifeline’ to the Federal Government. The final decision on the strike will be decided with all the members voting either for or against it. The Nation gathered that majority of NEC members had opted for declaration of an indefinite strike action. The venue of the ongoing NEC meeting — Ade Ajayi Auditorium has been changed to Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Hall near the university’s guest house. The final outcome of the meeting would be announced on Monday. Details shortly…

Post Date : February 13, 2022

Houses of IPOB suspects razed by ‘security operatives’ in Imo

Gunmen alleged to be security operatives have razed the houses of suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Umuonyeoka Ihitteafoukwu and Okponkume communities in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo. According to Emeka Obasi, a resident of Ihitteafoukwu, who spoke with TheCable, the armed men came in seven cars to search for one Uche Madu, who is alleged to be a member of the ESN. ESN is the armed unit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He said the armed men descended on the family home of the Madus after the search for the suspect became futile. Obasi called on the state government to unravel those behind the invasion of Ihitteafoukwu and bring them to justice. “While I do not condone any indigene of Ihitteafoukwu land to be involved with any unlawful act or criminal activities, it is still pertinent to state that the invasion and arson perpetrated in our land today is highly condemnable and ill-advised” Obasi said. Another source in Okponkume community said the armed men also razed the house of one Ekene. He said three other houses in the same compound as Ekene’s house were also set ablaze. “Unidentified security men came to Okponkume, arrested Ekene and burnt down his house and neighbour’s. It’s believed the security men are after ESN members,” the source said. Michael Abattam, the state’s police spokesperson, did not answer calls or respond to messages sent to him for comment on the incident. TheCable Editor’s note: This photo is for illustrative purpose, not scene of the incident

Post Date : February 13, 2022

2023: Avoid bitter politics, divisive sentiments, Buhari tells youths

Ahead of 2023 general elections, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has urged young Nigerians to avoid being tempted by divisive sentiments and elements using tribe and religion. The President also emphasised the importance of nation building and unity in diversity, adding that bitter politics could erode the gains of democracy in Nigeria. Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stated this on Saturday at the combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Wukari, in Taraba State. This was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, titled, ‘Young Nigerians Are Undaunted, Belong to Most Globalised Generation Ever – Buhari’. According to the President, nation building is a continuous process, it involves all of us, it is not just about doing well at our jobs or innovation, or brick and mortar; it is about building bridges of brotherhood and unity. “Let it be your generation that will bury those prejudices, heal those wounds and build a great society of brothers and sisters of all tribes and tongues. “You belong to a generation of Nigerians ordained by momentous historical circumstances to play on a grander stage. You belong to the most globalized generation ever to walk this earth and your field of competition is not local, but global. You have come of age in the era of a worldwide marketplace of opportunity. “Refuse to be consumed by the petty prejudices and biases that predispose you to mutual antagonism with your fellow citizens. You must refuse to be prisoners of history and commit to encountering the world with an open mind,” he told the youths. He also assured that his regime will continue to offer and support initiatives that would create wealth, jobs and opportunities for young Nigerians. The President urged the youths to acquire knowledge and skills to innovate, create, be productive and contribute value so as to build their future and better the lot of the country. Furthermore, Buhari encouraged Nigerian youths “to see the various challenges in our environment as opportunities for the creation of solutions, as we are a nation with a rapidly expanding population with attendant human sustenance needs.”

Post Date : February 13, 2022

UPDATE: Four Dead Bodies Recovered From Collapsed Lagos Building, Developer Arrested

Four dead bodies have been recovered from the collapsed building in the Yaba area of Lagos State, just as the property developer was arrested. The recovered bodies were some of the people working at the building site before it collapsed on Saturday at NO.16 Akanbi Crescent. Two workers, however, survived the incident. According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), out of the two, only one was trapped in the building. The other, it said, is a teenager who escaped by luck after he complained of hunger and was given money to go and get food. Rescue operations on the building site ended but later resumed on Sunday after indications that some persons might still be trapped in the rubble. Following the incident, the Lagos State Government said it has arrested the developer of the property. In a statement on its official Twitter handle late Saturday, it said the developer was arrested for breaking the government seal on the property and violating the stop-work order”. “The developer in charge of the site has since been arrested and handed over to the RRS Team, while rescue operation is ongoing,” it added. The Lagos State Government has arrested the developer of a collapsed building at No. 16 Akanbi Crescent, Onike, Yaba for breaking the government seal on the property and violating the stop-work order.@jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @idreezsalako @ud_mpp @gbenga_omo @hmokunola_ pic.twitter.com/iNrObWU44x — The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) February 13, 2022 Saturday’s incident is the latest in the rising cases of building collapse in Lagos State. In November, at least 40 persons were killed following the collapse of a high-rise in the Ikoyi area of the commercial city. “This is an event that could be described clearly as a national disaster. Mistakes were made from all angles,” the Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said at that time, maintaining that such an event “really should not be happening in a modern-day city like Lagos”. Experts blame loopholes in regulations and sharp practices by developers for the incessant collapse of buildings.

Post Date : February 13, 2022

PWDs seek inclusion in Soludo’s cabinet

The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Anambra State, has appealed to the incoming-governor Prof. Charles Soludo, to include them as members of his political appointees. The Chairman of the group, Ugochukwu Okeke, made the appeal when he received members of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, in Awka, on Sunday. Okeke said such inclusion would help them to effectively contribute their quota to the development of the state. He appreciated the current governor, Willie Obianoz for establishing the disability commission and also employing about 250 of them in the civil service. He said, “We want this gesture to continue which is why we came up with a charter of demands for the incoming administration. We appeal to Prof. Soludo to consider PWDs as some of his political appointees. “When we have some of us in government, they are in the best position to understand the needs of people like us and push for policies that will better our lives. “We also want his administration to consider having data of PWDs in the state, continuous employment of PWDs, introduction of social protection programmes, housing schemes, scholarships, and improved healthcare.” Okeke also urged political parties to prioritise total inclusion of PWDs to help them contest during elections and fully participate in political activities. The Manager, JDPC Onitsha/FCDO project, Mr Alphonsus Nwoye, said the exercise was aimed at generating development issues to be used in engaging the incoming administration. Nwoye said such engagement would deepen inclusive and good governance for sustainable development in Anambra. He called for more partnership towards voter and civic education to encourage PWDs to participate in politics ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Post Date : February 13, 2022

Delta Govt Shuts School After 19-Month-Old Pupil Flogged By Teacher Dies

The Delta State Government has shut down a primary school in Asaba following the death of a 19-month-old pupil, Obina Udeze. Channels Television gathered that the victim died from injuries sustained by a teacher, Emeka Nwogbo, who reportedly flogged him on Monday, leaving marks on his body. The little boy was said to have fallen sick after the beating and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. His health condition deteriorated until he eventually died on Saturday morning. The Delta State Commissioner for Basic Education Chika Ossai told Channels Television on Sunday that the school was not approved by the state government. He explained that the government’s decision to seal up the affected institution is because the proprietor does not have an operational licence. Meanwhile, the accused teacher is currently in police custody while investigations are ongoing. The spokesman of Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, said they have commenced investigations into Udeze’s death.

Post Date : February 13, 2022

Osinbajo, NAF should publicly apologise to Ortom – HURIWA

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, has asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Nigerian Air Force leadership to publicly apologise to Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, for denying him (Ortom) entry into the naval base during the vice president’s visit to the state. The PUNCH had earlier reported that Ortom on Saturday claimed he was denied entry into the Nigerian Air Force base, where he wanted to receive Osibanjo who was transiting the state despite a letter from the Presidency inviting him for the purpose. Reacting to the development on Sunday, HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement titled, ‘Ortom: Being member of opposition should not warrant victimisation, says HURIWA’, described the NAF action as ‘opposition victimisation’. He said barring an elected state governor and Chief Security Officer of a state from the NAF Base is an affront to the principle of democracy. Onwubiko said, “Denying Ortom, who is a member of the National Economic Council led by the Vice President himself from such an invited event is hypocritical of the administration of President and his Vice-President whom claim to be for everyone and for nobody. “It is a known fact that Ortom, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, has been very vocal in his criticism against the ruling All Progressives Congress. The embarrassment of Ortom on Saturday can be termed deliberate and an act of persecution for speaking out against the Buhari regime. “The Saturday event again queries the genuineness of Nigeria’s federalism and again calls for the need for the states and the regions to have control over security agents in their domains. “The silence of the Nigerian Air Force and the Vice-President a day after the matter is suspiciously complicitous. Both NAF and Osinbajo must publicly apologise to Ortom and sanction the overzealous officers for the flagrant disrespect of the governor. Belonging to an opposition party and being a critic should not warrant victimisation.”

Post Date : February 13, 2022

Lai: Canada brands anti-vax protesters as insurrectionists but supported #EndSARS in Nigeria

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says Canada’s reaction towards the truckers’ protest against COVID-19 restrictions shows no country allows violent protests. The demonstration tagged “Freedom Convoy” began on January 9 over a new rule stipulating that all truckers must be vaccinated to cross the US-Canada border. However, the protests grew to include ending all such mandates nationwide and opposing the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau condemned the protest, saying it has to “ stop”. Speaking at a news briefing, the minister said the Canadian government branded the protesters as insurrectionists, whereas they supported the #EndSARS protesters in Nigeria, which shows double standards. ”Recall also that Twitter actively supported the #EndSars protesters and even helped them to raise fund while GoFundMe was used to raise funds for the protests,” he said. “These are the same entities that are now rushing to distance themselves from the protesters in Canada and even denying them the use of their platforms. “Don’t misunderstand this intervention. We are not gloating over the unfortunate development in Canada. But we are only calling attention to the double standard involved in the way protesters deemed to be violent are perceived in Nigeria and in the West. “We have always said that you must have a country before you can even enjoy the freedoms guaranteed by your country’s constitution. If there is no Nigeria, no one will be talking of freedom of expression or freedom of association and the likes. “This realization explains why every country goes the extra mile to protect and preserve itself. And this also explains why we have continued to insist on the regulation of social media to ensure responsible content. In this area, I can confidently say we are far ahead of most countries in the world, who have now realized that social media must be regulated in the interest of their own people. “In this regard, our successful negotiation with Twitter to fashion out measures to ensure a responsible use of that platform which, by the way, will also apply to other social media platforms, has made us a global trail blazer in efforts to prevent harmful content from social media platforms “Gentlemen, we must not allow anyone to destroy our country under the guise of protest or unbridled freedoms. We all must put Nigeria first at all times.”